Vote on November 4th – BTU Endorsed Candidates See pages 5 - 8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ BostonBostonUnion Teacher The Award-Winning Newspaper of the Teachers Union AFT Local 66, AFL-CIO • Democracy in Education • Volume XLI, Number 2 • October, 2008 ALL OUT FOR OBAMA / BIDEN ON NOVEMBER 4th By Garret Virchick As teachers, union members, and vot- In addition, Obama has promised to ovember 4th 2008 promises to be a ers we must be especially clear on the oppose school vouchers, a Republican Nbellwether day in American History. positions of the candidates. On the issue scheme to divert public money to private There are two things that could happen of public education Obama has stated his schools. He also has pledged to fully fund on that day. The American people could intention of rewriting No Child Left Be- and expand Head Start early education go to the polls and elect Barack Obama hind so that it is not centered on punish- programs and he supports additional to the presidency of the United States, ing schools and teachers. His promise to funds for capital improvements to crum- making him the first African American actually provide the resources necessary bling public schools. On educational is- elected to that position in a country where to meet the demands of NCLB stands in sues alone Obama not only deserves our slavery was the law of the land when it stark contrast to eight years of unfunded vote, but demands that we become active Barack Obama started 232 years ago. Or, the politics of mandates from the Bush administration. participants in this election to organize fear may once again win out electing Obama also promises to change the way and educate our fellow citizens as to the John McCain, ushering in four more student progress is measured so that importance of their vote and this election. BTU Endorses years of failed Republican policies. The teachers will not be forced to spend the Where does John McCain stand on choices are clear, even if the outcome is school year preparing students to fill in these issues? As much as he likes to paint Barack Obama uncertain. bubbles on a standardized test. and Joseph (continued on page 4) Biden for Vote No on Question 1 – No Such Thing as a Free Lunch President and If We Want Services, We Need Revenue By Richard Stutman, BTU President have to find another job, or the father would (Committee on Political Education) gave Vice President icture this. The family sits down to have to get a 2nd job. After all, they’re not $150,000 to the Vote No Campaign. Our Pdinner and is about to begin eating going to shut the lights off 24 minutes every contribution is only one small part of what when mom says, “I have some bad news hour. What will; happen to the family will we are doing to defeat Question 1. If you to report. I have lost my job, but not to happen to our state, should the voters ap- want to get involved, please call the BTU worry. We’ll make do on 40% less income. prove Question 1 on November 4. office. Thank you. We’ll eat only five days per week, we’ll ask the bank to reduce our mortgage by 40%, See more information and we’ll walk to work every Monday and Thursday. We’ll shut off the heat and regarding Question 1 lights for 24 minutes every hour and take on page 2 3-minute showers. You kids, can of course, continue to shower for 30 minutes.” Question 1, if approved, will cut the

rmit No. 52088 rmit No.

“Mom, how are we going to do this?” state personal income tax receipts by 50% MA 02109 oston,

Non-Profit Org. Non-Profit U.S. Postage U.S.

PAID B “Well, we’ll try it for a while and see effective 1/1/09. The remaining 50% will Pe how we do. It might make us more be eliminated on 1/1/10. Translated, this efficient.” Or it may push the family into means that the state’s total income re- turmoil. ceived each year will drop by 40%. It’s Joseph Biden We all know how the above situation actually quite simple: no one — no gov- would turn out: either the mother would ernment, no family, no individual — can withstand a drop in income of 40%. It doesn’t force efficiency. It creates hard- ship and uncertainty. Or it will raise prop- erty taxes. We can look to New Hamp- shire as a good example. There’s no state income tax in New Hampshire. What they do have, however, is the highest property tax rate as a percentage of per- sonal income in the country. If we cut personal income taxes, we’ll either cut services or raise property taxes. There’s no way around it: it takes tax revenue to provide services. We ask that you get involved in this campaign to defeat Question 1. Literature is available in your schools, and you can Massachusetts AFL-CIO delegates and BTU members Ted Chambers, Martha Cotton, get more information at http:// Angela Cristiani, Alison Doherty-Lacasse and Eileen Weir in a Vote No on Question 1 votenoquestion1.com. This vote is Stand-Out in Andover – Photo by Mary F. Glynn important enough that the BTU COPE Commentary: Schools, Time & Wal-Mart 3 Retirees COLA Veto: BTU’s Concern, RTC’s Outrage, Governor’s Response 9 & 10

AL 66, AFT AL 66, Using Historical Documents in the Classroom

BOSTON TEACHERS TEACHERS UNION BOSTON LOC 180 Mount Vernon Street Vernon 180 Mount 11 Massachusetts 02125 Boston, WE SAY NO! ➤ 1199 SEIU ➤ AARP Massachusetts ➤ ACORN TheThe BostonBoston TeachersTeachers UnionUnion SaysSays ➤ AFSCME Council 93 ➤ American Federation of Teachers MA ➤ American Friends Service Committee ➤ Arnold Hiatt VVoteote NoNo onon QuestionQuestion 11 ➤ Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) ➤ Bay State Stonewall Democrats ➤ Boilermakers Local #29 ➤ Boston Assoc. of School Administrators & Supervisors ➤ Boston Chamber of Commerce ➤ Boston DSA ➤ Boston Fire Fighters Local 718 ➤ Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association ➤ Boston Plasterers & Cement Masons #534 ➤ Boston Teachers Union ➤ Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen Local 3 ➤ Catholic Charitable Bureau of the Archdiocese of Boston, Inc. ➤ Chris Gabrieli ➤ Citizens Housing and Planning Association ➤ Citizens for Public Schools ➤ Citizens for Tax Justice ➤ Clean Water Action ➤ Coalition Against Poverty ➤ Coalition for Social Justice ➤ Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU ➤ Community Labor United ➤ Community Resources for Justice ➤ CWA Local 1365 ➤ Delta Projects, Inc. ➤ Early Education for All Campaign ➤ Ethos ➤ Firemen & Oilers Local 3, Chapter 615 ➤ Friends of Joe Lazzerini ➤ Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) ➤ Greater Boston Labor Council ➤ Health Care For All ➤ IBEW Local 96 ➤ Insulators Local 6 ➤ Iron Workers DC of New England ➤ Ironworkers Local 7 ➤ IUEC Local #4 ➤ Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA) ➤ Jewish Community Relations Council ➤ Jewish Labor Committee ➤ Labor Guild of the Archdiocese of Boston ➤ Laborers’ Union Local 22 ➤ Laborers’ Union Local 596 ➤ League of Women Voters of Massachusetts ➤ LGBT Aging Project ➤ Lynn Business Education Foundation ➤ M.O.S.E.S. ➤ Marine Engineers Beneficial Association ➤ Mass Advocates for the Arts, Sciences & Humanities ➤ Mass AFL-CIO ➤ Mass Assoc of Councils on Aging & Senior Center Directors ➤ Mass Assoc. for Community Action (MassCAP) ➤ Mass Assoc. of C766 Approved Private Schools ➤ Mass Assoc. of Home Care Agencies and Area Agencies on Aging ➤ Mass Assoc. of Jewish Federations ➤ Mass Assoc. of School Business Officials (MASBO) ➤ Mass Assoc. of School Superintendents ➤ Mass Assoc. of Special Ed Parent Advisory Councils ➤ Mass Association of School Committees ➤ Mass Building Trades Council ➤ Mass Business Roundtable ➤ Mass Chamber of Business & Industry, Inc. ➤ Mass Coalition of Police ➤ Mass Communities Action Network ➤ Mass Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice ➤ Mass Jobs with Justice ➤ Mass Library Association ➤ Mass Municipal Association ➤ Mass Non-profit Network ➤ Mass Nurses Association ➤ Mass Organization of Educational Collaboratives ➤ Mass Partners for Public Schools ➤ Mass PTA ➤ Mass Public Health Association ➤ Mass Secondary School Administrators’ Assoc. ➤ Mass Senior Action Council ➤ Mass Taxpayers Foundation ➤ Mass Teachers Association ➤ MASSPIRG ➤ Mental Health and Substance Abuse Corps. - MA ➤ NASW ➤ Nat’l Alliance on Mental Illness ➤ Neighbor to Neighbor ➤ New England Joint Board, UNITE HERE ➤ New England Regional Council, Carpenters ➤ Non-Profit Network ➤ North Shore Labor Council ➤ OPEIU Local 6 ➤ Painters & Allied Trades D.C. #35 ➤ Peabody Chamber of Commerce ➤ Peter Meade ➤ PHENOM-Public Higher Ed Network of Mass ➤ Pioneer Valley AFL-CIO ➤ Pipefitters Local 537 ➤ Professional Firefighters of MA ➤ Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts ➤ Providers Council ➤ Public Policy Institute ➤ Retired State, County & Municipal Employees Assoc. of MA ➤ SEIU Local 5000 - NAGE ➤ SEIU Local 509 ➤ SEIU Local 615 ➤ SEIU Local 888 ➤ SEIU State Council ➤ Southeastern Mass. Building Trades ➤ Stand for Children ➤ Steve Grossman ➤ Teamsters Local 25 ➤ The Construction Institute ➤ UAW Mass State CAP Council ➤ UFCW Local 1445 ➤ Union of Minority Neighborhoods ➤ United for a Fair Economy ➤ United Steelworkers of America Local 5696 ➤ USW/Boston Taxicab Drivers Assoc. ➤ Vinfen ➤ Young Democrats Association of Attleboro

2 ❖ BOSTON UNION TEACHER ❖ October, 2008 Commentary: Michael Maguire Schools, Time and Wal-Mart Building a Sustainable Profession hat if for your administrative Wduty you were to stand just inside the main entrance of your school wearing a smiley-face pinned to a blue smock and you were to Why is filing a class size grievance important greet each student who walked through the door with “Welcome to and how is it done? the Wal-Mart public schools. Have a Data shows that the lower the class sizes the better when it comes to meeting student’s nice day.” Sounds crazy doesn’t it? needs. As soon as class size maxima have been exceeded in your class, file the information But for many teachers the Wal-Mart immediately with the BTU directly on the btu.org website. Refer to the grade and type of experience is all too real. class you teach (elementary, middle, high, regular ed., SPED, gym, SEI, etc.) in the Elizabeth Dunbar of the BTU contract on pages 39 and 40 to determine the appropriate number for your respective Associated Press reported on July 1, class. You should file a class size grievance once the number of children reporting to your class is in excess of the contractual maxima – it can’t just be the number on your 2008 that a Minnesota judge “ruled class list, the students must have physically attended school at least once and then not against Wal-Mart in a class-action Michael Maguire have been officially discharged. lawsuit, saying the discount retailer Only in special cases are additional students able to remain in the class thus exceeding violated state labor laws 2 million up paying more than $2 billion after a the maxima as negotiated. The contract states; “In elementary schools where there is only times by cutting worker break time jury in October considers civil penal- one regular education class in a grade level, the School Department may exceed the class and ‘willfully’ allowing employees to ties and punitive damages.” Wal-Mart size maxima by one or two students. For one student over the class size maxima the teacher work off the clock.” plans to appeal, of course, but the will receive $1,500 and for two students $3,000.” The contract continues; “In secondary Ms. Dunbar also wrote, “Dakota award in and of itself is a victory for schools where there is a singular regular education course offering, the School Department County Judge Robert King Jr. on the employees of the nation’s largest, may exceed the class size maxima by one or two students. For one student in excess, the Monday ordered Wal-Mart to pay anti-union shopping center. Wal-Mart teacher will receive $300 per class and for two students, $600 per class.” For example, in a $6.5 million in compensatory is famous for low prices, and infa- secondary school if there is only one physics class offered, this portion of the contract damages, but Wal-Mart could end (continued on page 9) could kick in. This can not be employed where and when it suits the administration except within the narrow parameters outlined above. Under no circumstanåces can this passage of the contract be implemented with special education classes. As it states in the collective bargaining agreement; “Class size for program prototypes 502.2, 502.3, and 502.4 shall conform with Regulations published by the State Department of Education.’ It is illegal to increase SPED class sizes. There is an arbitration award that the BTU obtained which states that even if these narrow parameters exist, the teacher thus affected has a right to decline said stipend and instead may insist on the standard class size being enforced. Filing the class size grievance puts pressure on the BPS to deal with the issue as quickly as possible or compensate the teacher for this contract violation. Money is a motivator for them to solve the problem. The teacher only gets credit from the day they file the grievance until the day it is resolved if it exceeds 15 school days. Let’s focus on children with the smallest class size possible. We fought for it – let’s maintain it. What are the requirements for a syllabus? The syllabus can be an effective tool for the teacher, student, administration, and parents to all be on the same page, so to speak. The School Department and the BTU have negotiated the parameters and timeline requirements for this document, however there is no one specific format required by the BPS. The management/labor contract dictates; “In September of each year all teachers shall prepare a brief outline or syllabus (one to three pages) which includes: the student learning objectives for the year; the curriculum materials they plan to cover; and any student learning products or projects which students are expected to produce during the school year. This outline may be supplemented with information about the amount of time students are expected to spend on homework; student attendance requirements; what students are expected to bring to class (or not to bring to class); and any other information that the teacher deems appropriate to help parents understand to help parents understand what is expected of students. Teachers shall not be required to repeat any information which is distributed by the school to all parents, e.g. code Before there were Unions! – Submitted by Eileen Weir of discipline, homework policy, school handbook.” You might be surprised to read that the BPS/BTU contract states; “Two copies of this outline or syllabus shall be given to parents at the first parent teacher meeting of the school year. One copy must be signed by the parent and returned to the teacher indicating the Boston parent’s understanding of the curriculum and expectations and agreeing to cooperate with UnionTeacher the teacher in meeting the educational objectives set for the year. Parents who do not attend the meeting shall have copies mailed to them by the principal at School Department expense with a stamped return envelope to return the signed copy to the school.” Published by the Boston Teachers Union AFT Local 66, AFL-CIO I’ve always found it helpful to include on the syllabus the phrase, “Individual parent teacher conferences shall be held at a time that is mutually agreed upon by the parent The Boston Union Teacher EDITORIAL NOTE: is published and the teacher either in person or by phone.” This paraphrases language in the contract The opinions expressed in the Boston and communicates a willingness to meet by appointment with the consent of both parties. eleven times a year Union Teacher do not necessarily September - July, inclusive. A syllabus is meant to be an overview, an outline – not a tomb. Some administrators are represent the views of the Boston also requesting ‘curriculum maps’ and the like which an expansion of this outline. If they President Teachers Union, or those of its members. are requiring more than what has been detailed above as contractually negotiated, then RICHARD F. STUTMAN WHEN WRITING: the administration should provide additional administrative time to do so. If the Vice President All correspondence to the Boston Union administration is not willing to do so, perhaps they should reflect on their priorities. We PATRICK CONNOLLY need to focus on doing what we do well to best meet the children’s needs. That Teacher must be typewritten and signed. necessitates prioritizing our time effectively – collectively. Together we can! Secretary-Treasurer All articles must be appropriate to the EDWARD A. WELCH publication, and in good taste. Co-Editors When are School Site Council Elections & Meetings held? Letters to the Editor should be sent to MARY F. GLYNN The School Site Council is the central governing body of the school under the school- GARRET VIRCHICK [email protected]. based management/shared decision making model. The contract stipulates (pages 14- Editorial Board DEADLINE: 26); “Elections for new SSC members shall be conducted as early in the school year as Caren Carew The Deadline for submitting articles possible, and a first meeting of the new council shall be held no later than October 31st.” At Angela Cristiani for the October edition of the Boston the first meeting, a monthly calendar should be agreed upon by the SSC members for the Jenna Fitzgerald Union Teacher is September 10th. entire school year and be made public through distribution to all staff and parents. Any Robert Jango All copy should be e-mailed to change must be approved by the SSC with at least one week’s notice to all staff & parents. Michael J. Maguire [email protected] and SSC Meetings should be at times convenient for all members & times may alternate to Michael McLaughlin [email protected] meet this goal. Eileen Weir This deadline will be strictly adhered to. United we stand – divided we beg. 180 Mount Vernon Street ❖ Boston, MA 02125 617-288-2000 ❖ 617-288-2463 ❖ Fax 617-288-0024 ❖ www.btu.org I am fighting for you – let’s stand up together! BTUnity! BOSTON UNION TEACHER ❖ October, 2008 ❖ 3 All Out for Obama/Biden on November 4th… (continued from page 1) himself as a maverick McCain has walked lock-step with George W. Bush. He thinks NCLB is a “good start” and has voted time and again to not fully fund it. He feels threatening sanctions gives edu- cators incentives to succeed. He has re- peatedly voted to provide public monies for voucher programs while voting to cut funding for Head Start. No wonder he has to try and paint himself as a maverick. But when you look at his record the emperor has no clothes! But we are not just teachers and our interests are not only centered on educa-

tional policy. We are also Union mem- bers. In the past 50 years, heavily union- ized industries have closed up shop, head- ing first south into so called right-to-work states, and then across borders in the search for cheaper labor. In that time we have seen a steady decline in wages, health benefits, pension benefits, and the standard of living of American workers. Obama has co-sponsored and pledged to support the Employee Free Choice Act. This act would level the playing field making it easier for workers to organize a union. McCain voted to block a Senate vote on this bill. On so many fronts the choice between Obama and McCain is clear. Obama is against tax breaks for corporations that move jobs overseas. McCain supports massive tax cuts for corporations, shift- ing more and more of the tax burden onto working people. Obama voted for in- creases to the minimum wage while McCain consistently voted against them. Obama has called for increasing Pell Grants for higher education while McCain is against increasing the grants, calling instead for higher interest rates, enrich- ing private lenders. Obama is against privatization of social security, McCain calls for it. Obama has pledged to im- prove access to quality healthcare where the McCain plan would count employee- provided premiums as taxable income, creating a new tax on workers. The stakes are high. As a Union and as union members we must go the extra mile in this election. We should not be- come complacent simply because we live in Massachusetts. Call friends and rela- tives living in other states and explain what is at stake. Volunteer for a phone bank making targeted calls to get out the vote. Or volunteer one Saturday to go door to door in New Hampshire, a state that may go either way, talking to people about the issues. The Obama campaign has energized a new generation around political activism. Whoever wins this election we will need that activism and more to change the direction of this country and promote progress rather than reaction. Who sits in the oval office will help define the possi- bilities for that progress. On November 4th, Vote Obama/Biden! 4 ❖ BOSTON UNION TEACHER ❖ October, 2008 Election 2008 A Special Pull-Out Section to the Boston Union Teacher, Oct. 2008 The Boston Teachers Union Endorses Barack Obama and Joseph Biden in the 2008 Presidential Election

REMEMBER TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4th!!! ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ JOIN BTU-COPE!!!

BOSTON UNION TEACHER ❖ October, 2008 ❖ 5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Boston Teachers Union Endorses John Kerry for U.S. Senate

BTU Endorses Five Candidates for U.S. Congress

Michael Capuano William Delahunt Barney Frank John Tierney Niki Tsongas 8th Congressional District 10th Congressional District 4th Congressional District 6th Congressional District 5th Congressional District

FOR PRESIDENT and VICE PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES ❏✔ Barack Obama and Joseph Biden FOR UNITED STATES CONGRESS ❏✔ Michael Capuano – 8th Congressional District ❏✔ William Delahunt – 10th Congressional District ❏✔ Barney Frank – 4th Congressional District ❏✔ John Tierney – 6th Congressional District ❏✔ Niki Tsongas – 7th Congressional District FOR MASSACHUSETTS STATE SENATE ❏✔ Cynthia Creem – 1st Middlesex & Norfolk ❏✔ Patricia Jehlen – 2nd Middlesex ❏✔ Kenneth Donnelly – 4th Middlesex ❏✔ Thomas Kennedy – Plymouth & Bristol ❏✔ James Eldridge – Middlesex & Worcester ❏✔ Michael Morrissey – Norfolk & Plymouth ❏✔ Susan Fargo – 3rd Middlesex ❏✔ Sara Orozco – Norfolk, Bristol & Middlesex ❏✔ Anthony Galluccio – Middlesex, Suffolk & Essex ❏✔ – 2nd Middlesex & Norfolk ❏✔ Brian Joyce – Norfolk, Bristol & Plymouth ❏✔ James Timilty – Bristol & Norfolk FOR MASSACHUSETTS STATE REPRESENTATIVE ❏✔ Willie Mae Allen – 6th Suffolk ❏✔ Linda Dorcena Forry – 12th Suffolk ✔❏ Denise Provost – 27th Middlesex ❏✔ Ruth Balser – 12th Middlesex ❏✔ – 23rd Middlesex ✔❏ Pam Richardson – 6th Middlesex ❏✔ Michael Brady – 9th Plymouth ❏✔ Lida Harkins – 13th Norfolk ✔❏ Michael Rush – 10th Suffolk ❏✔ – 24th Middlesex ❏✔ Kevin Honan – 17th Suffolk ✔❏ Carl Sciortino – 34th Middlesex ❏✔ Christine Canavan – 10th Plymouth ❏✔ Kay Khan – 11th Middlesex ✔❏ Frank Smizik – 15th Norfolk ❏✔ James Cantwell – 4th Plymouth ❏✔ Jason Lewis – 31st Middlesex ✔❏ Marie St. Fleur – 5th Suffolk ❏✔ Geraldine Creedon – 11th Plymouth ❏✔ David Linsky – 5th Middlesex ❏✔ Tim Toomey – 26th Middlesex ❏✔ – 35th Middlesex ❏✔ Elizabeth Malia – 1th Suffolk ❏✔ Marty Walz – 8th Suffolk ❏✔ Joseph Driscoll – 5th Norfolk ❏✔ Robert Nyman – 5th Plymouth ❏✔ Alice Wolf – 25th Middlesex ❏✔ Mark Falzone – 9th Essex ❏✔ – 14th Norfolk

REMEMBER TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4th!!!

6 ❖ BOSTON UNION TEACHER ❖ October, 2008 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Boston Teachers Union Endorses Twelve Massachusetts State Senate Candidates

Cynthia Creem Ken Donnelly James Eldridge 1st Middlesex & Norfolk 4th Middlesex Middlesex & Worcester

Susan Fargo Anthony Galluccio Brian Joyce Patricia Jehlen Thomas Kennedy 3rd Middlesex Middlesex, Suffolk & Essex Norfolk, Bristol & Plymouth 2nd Middlesex Plymouth & Bristol

Michael Morrissey Sara Orozco Karen Spilka James Timilty Norfolk & Plymouth Norfolk, Bristol & Middlesex 2nd Middlesex & Norfolk Bristol & Norfolk BTU Endorses Twenty-Nine Massachusetts State Representative Candidates

Willie Mae Allen Ruth Balser Michael Brady Will Brownsberger Christine Canavan 6th Suffolk 12th Middlesex 9th Plymouth 24th Middlesex 10th Plymouth

James Cantwell Geraldine Creedon Paul Donato Joseph Driscoll 4th Plymouth 11th Plymouth 35th Middlesex 5th Norfolk JOIN BTU-COPE!!!

BOSTON UNION TEACHER ❖ October, 2008 ❖ 7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Boston Teachers Union Announces Twenty-Nine Massachusetts State Representative Endorsements

Mark Falzone Linda Dorcena Forry Sean Garballey Lida Harkins Kevin Honan 9th Essex 12th Suffolk 23rd Middlesex 13th Norfolk 17th Suffolk

Kay Khan Jason Lewis David Linsky Elizabeth Malia 11th Middlesex 31st Middlesex 5th Middlesex 11th Suffolk

Robert Nyman Alice Peisch 5th Plymouth 14th Norfolk

Denise Provost Pam Richardson Michael Rush Carl Sciortino 27th Middlesex 6th Middlesex 10th Suffolk 34th Middlesex

Frank Smizik Marie St. Fleur Tim Toomey Marty Walz Alice Wolf 15th Norfolk 5th Suffolk 26th Middlesex 8th Suffolk 25th Middlesex REMEMBER TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4th!!!

8 ❖ BOSTON UNION TEACHER ❖ October, 2008 One Member’s Opinion: “Boston Teachers, We Have a Problem” President Stutman n a 1980’s BTU contract dispute then with, “Would you rather that we get a Expresses BTU’s Concern IPresident Ed Doherty announced at a bunch of B.S.?” general membership meeting that City Well, eventually we did receive a fair Regarding Governor Hall was not responding to his phone and decent contract; even though the calls. The gentlemen in the audience road to its arrival may have been a bumpy Deval Patrick’s Veto standing next to me rhetorically asked, one and surely modern day spinmeisters “What kind of union president do we have and political advisors would caution a of Retiree COLA Bill that can’t even get his phone calls re- union leader against such veracity. I can’t turned from Ray Flynn.” help but think that President Doherty Richard Stutman “An honest one” was my reply along (continued on page 11) September 15, 2008 BTU President Schools, Time and Wal-Mart… Governor Deval Patrick onwealth of Massachusetts (continued from page 3) Comm State House mous for paying low wages, for providing unionists and professionals need to stand Boston, Mass. 02133 poor health benefits, and for aggressively together for the benefit of our profession keeping its employees from unionizing. and our students. When our contractual Dear Governor Patrick, In the case just settled in Minnesota, the day ends, we should leave the building. id-point in your term and employees were not paid for all time they The key to completing our work within Greetings. We wish you well as you enter the m ut we must take issue worked and were forced to take short- the school day is to be efficient with our we appreciate your support of public education. B ened lunch breaks. It’s these last two Planning and Development time. ent C.O.L.A. bill this summer. with your veto of the teacher’s retirem ent of $120 per items that I want you to be mindful of this Remember, planning comes first in P&D. The bill would have granted our members a token paym year. Plan wisely so that the end of the school e are angry at your veto and we feel year, or 33 cents per day. W e feel you made a Are there times you perform BPS work day is the end of your workday. there’s no other way to put it—and w betrayed— odest increase runs without compensation? Do you take an Vary your assessments. When I was a mistake. What’s more, we believe the veto of this m oting the public good. Let abbreviated lunch? I’m willing to bet that rookie teacher my (unofficial) mentor counter to your obvious commitment to prom the answer is yes to both of these ques- told me that the measure of a good exam me explain why. tions. Fortunately the situation is within is this: you should be able to correct a set can expect to receive what your control. We need to set a healthy of exams in the length of time it takes a Teachers who retire under the current law balance between work and our private student to complete that same exam. That ears ago, when the span of retirement is essentially a fixed pension. Y ful, was not lives. This year, make it your goal to leave way you can correct a set of exams while was much less, having a fixed pension, though harm your building at sign-out with no paper the next class is taking theirs. Not every catastrophic. Today’s world is different. People are living longer, the e one’s standard of living, work each day and to eat your lunch in the exam needs to be a three-page essay. ravages of inflation have more time to consum embers, after years of teachers’ lounge. Impossible? Not at all, but Short quizzes are often a better gage of and pensions must last longer. Many of our m it may require work and dedication. Let’s student mastery than long tests. Mix service and dedication to our children, live their last years in virtual look at the alternative: things up in order to reduce your time on poverty. Our members, as well as tens of thousands of other public OLA of $360 which typically Ms. Lee Palmer was a teacher at paperwork and to help students by not employees, must subsist on a yearly C Another Course to College. Over a year focusing on the same thing all the time. amounts to less than 1% per year. This yearly increase is hardly ago she quit teaching at ACC to attend It is also important to assist struggling sufficient to keep pace with the increased costs. law school. The following is how she colleagues. When you walk out of the orking members of the described a typical teaching day: “I building each afternoon, notice those who Our members are not wealthy. We are hard-w couldn’t believe the amount of work that frequently stay late. During the school professional middle class who have long been disrespected and under- was required. It was relentless. I’d wake year, strike up conversations with these uch to serve the public in our teaching life. paid. We have sacrificed m ent. up at 4:00 AM to prep, and then go into people. Find out what’s taking up their Now we are expected to continue that sacrifice in our retirem school to teach until 2:30 PM. After school time and offer your suggestions on how ajority of public I’d stay to help students until 4:00 PM, to remedy the problem. You’ll make a We are not eligible for Social Security unlike the m and then head home for a quick dinner friend and help save a colleague’s sanity. employees in the country. True, by not participating in Social Security, ut local governments avoid and into bed by 7:30 PM.” Sound familiar? Speaking of sanity, lunchtime is we avoid paying 6.2% of our own wages. B Ms. Palmer describes a twelve-hour work- important for one’s mental health. Resist paying this tax as well. (By the way, Social Security this year pays a 2.3% day. We aren’t even paid for seven hours the urge to get one more thing done. You C.O.L.A. increase on the full benefit (3.3% last year). Further, unlike ployer. We surveyed our of our time and Ms. Palmer felt obliged to need a break from your hard work, take it; other professionals, we subsidize our em donate five more a day. Could you imag- eat with a friend, go to the teachers’ lounge members 10 years ago and found that the average teacher spenthat other $700 ine what the uproar would be, if the BPS, to have an adult conversation, or take a in supplies and materials per year for his/her students. In w like Wal-Mart, required us to work off the walk around the school to stretch your profession does that happen? We have given up a lot to enter this ay of salaries that other, clock? Sadly too many of us are voluntar- legs. Above all, don’t turn those precious profession we love, sacrificing much in the w ll we ask is to be treated ily giving that amount of time to the school minutes into Wal-Martesque time. less comparably-educated professionals earn. A .O.L.A. would be a step system and in the long run it hurts us as Perhaps most importantly, don’t be fairly and equitably. Providing us an adequate C individuals and as professionals. afraid to say “no.” If you are asked to do ould also send a message to all public in the right direction. It w ork we do and Let me point out here and now that I more than you are able, if that request will employees that our government and society value the w am not advocating that we fail to assist a intrude into your personal time, politely the sacrifices we make. struggling student. If a child comes to my say that you’d love to help but that you desk and asks for some assistance after simply don’t have the time. If pushed by any or our members were not even covered under the Incidentally, m ent sys- school, I’ll give that child some one-on- an administrator, politely point out the hey, members of our municipal retirem vetoed legislation. T ployees. They one instruction. The key word here is difficulties in complying with the request s, are ironically among the lowest paid of public em tem orkers, and public some. I will not stay after 90 minutes each and offer an alternative. Perhaps a are paraprofessionals in our schools, cafeteria w . They need an adequate day for uncompensated private tutoring. compromise can be worked where you works employees, just to mention a few I urge the rest of us not to either because take on the new task but have an old one C.O.L.A. as well. then that time becomes a continuation of taken away. Just saying “yes” to every e go forward. Our retirees the school day. Continuous extra help request will leave you without the time, Thank you for your consideration as w morphs into a longer day for both the energy or strength to fulfill any of your ent than they have been accorded, and you are in deserve better treatm e hope and expect teacher and the student, neither of whom commitments. a unique position to provide that help. Respectfully, w will benefit in the long run: the teacher If we don’t take care of our professional that you will take a lead role in correcting this injustice. will become burnt out and the student will health, who will? Wal-Mart makes billions develop the bad habit of not picking up of dollars at the expense of its workers Sincerely, the material during class time since he and its community. Don’t let the Great knows that he can just come by after class City of Boston do the same to you. So for “clarification.” At parent-teacher nights remember: leave the job at school. Go I am often asked what day(s) I stay after home and spend time with your family Richard Stutman for extra help. I reply that I do not stay and friends. Enjoy your evenings and President, Boston Teachers Union beyond the school day and that class time weekends. You’ll be more rested and is the appropriate time for a student to ask more enthusiastic come Monday me questions. If more time is need for morning. You and your students will be better instruction, or if class sizes are too all the better for it. large for proper learning, then the best (Michael J. Maguire is a Classics See the BTU Retired Teachers Chapter’s way to solve the problem is through Teacher at Boston Latin Academy and is a collective bargaining. For if hundreds of BTU Executive Board member.) Outrage and Governor Deval Patrick’s us supplement a bad situation with our Post Script: In 2006 our statewide union, free time, why should the BPS make any AFT-Massachusetts, began a boycott of Wal- Response on page 10 changes? Mart. Please spend your money at busi- So what to do? First of all, we as nesses that are friendly to unions. BOSTON UNION TEACHER ❖ October, 2008 ❖ 9 Retired Teachers News Governor Deval Patrick Stiffs Retirees Vetoes Cost of Living Adjustment for Retirees By Sandra M. Carle and length during the 2006 Retirees Teachers giving 33 cents per day to retirees who indignation. This was a slap in the face to Lawrence J. Connolly, Co-Chairs Fall Luncheon. Surely, he wasn’t trying to worked 35 to 40 years for the citizens of our organization that gave him so much RTC Legislative Committee deceive us! Massachusetts. Don’t forget those support in his campaign and he should fter much hard work, we finally were Unfortunately, in August the real Deval soothing words of praise he bestowed at not go unchallenged! A able to get the legislature to take one Patrick made his appearance and he let small step toward providing a decent Cost us know that despite the positive influence Governor Deval Patrick of Living Adjustment (COLA) to retirees. teachers had upon his success, it was not State House Despite the constant newspaper articles worth 33 cents per day. Not only did he Boston Massachusetts 02133 about how the additional $10 per month return the COLA bill unsigned – an each retiree would receive, would cause effective veto – but he went out of his way Dear Governor Patrick: bridges to collapse from disrepair, prisons in a letter to legislators to single out the We write you not only to express our disappointment but also our indignation to have to release killers and rapists, and inclusion of Boston teachers in the COLA at your veto of the miniscule COLA increase voted by the legislature for public schools to have to terminate education increase as a reason for his veto. A copy of employee retirees, including teachers. Less than two years ago, in a lengthy after grade 6, we were sure the governor the letter is enclosed for your information. address to over 850 members of Retired Teachers’ Chapter of the Boston would do the decent thing and sign it into Also included in this article is a copy of Teachers’ Union, you repeatedly expounded on the positive effect teachers had law. After all, didn’t he just give one billion a letter we have sent to the governor. We on your success in life and assured them that, when elected, a decent COLA dollars to the biotech industry to finance encourage all BTU members, active and would be the hallmark of your administration. As is typical for teachers who their operations here? Certainly, since we retired, who have not already done so, to always come to the table with a barrel of idealism and a thimble of cynicism, they have state money to pay 24% of the salary write to the governor and express your took you at your word and strongly supported your candidacy. However, when of all the movie stars shooting in you were presented with your first opportunity to make good on your promise Massachusetts, he wouldn’t have trouble to them, you seemed to have cavalierly thrown them under the bus and vetoed a COLA increase of a mere 33 cents per day! While your public relations spokesperson tried to put the spin on your action by saying you really wanted to help those making under $40,000 per year, this Governor Deval Patrick is just a red herring. The fact is no retiree, regardless of pension, would receive more than $120 per year in additional benefits and the approximately 13,000 Explains His Veto retirees over $40,000 would only represent an added cost of $1,560,000 or approximately fifty-five ten-thousandths of one percent (0.0000552) of the of Retiree COLA Bill $28,233,000,000 budget. While your spin on trying to help those most destitute retirees is somewhat charitable, those above the poverty level who worked long and hard in the public service should not have to slip into poverty or meet a means test before receiving a COLA. Massachusetts is one of a handful of states where retirees do not receive Social Security benefits in addition to their public pension. While this saves the state and its municipalities several thousand dollars per year per employee in FICA payments, the retiree loses out on up to $27,000 (over $40,000 if married) in benefits at full retirement age. This Social Security benefit is adjusted annually on the full amount, with this year’s COLA expected to be 6.1% (higher if inflation for the last quarter continues at its current pace). This means a couple receiving the maximum Social Security based on one worker’s earnings will receive a COLA of over $2400 as opposed to the Massachusetts COLA maximum of $360. Do you honestly feel that we should be satisfied with a COLA that is 15% of the projected Social Security COLA maximum? We are tired of hearing of the unfunded liability of the public retirement system. Massachusetts, unlike every other state except New Jersey, has taken the fiscally irresponsible position of making no mandatory matching contributions to its public employee retirement funds. It has for many decades paid current retirees with the contributions of current workers perhaps in the hope that the former die before they use up too much of the latter’s contributions. It worked until modern advances in medicine increased life spans and now the piper has to be paid or Wall Street drops the ratings. The problem has been further exacerbated by the practice of using the pension fund as a source of revenue for state needs totally unrelated to retiree pensions, much as you recently sug- gested when you tried to bail out M.E.F.A. with a $50,000,000 infusion from the retiree pension fund into low returns M.E.F.A. bonds! To suggest that current retirees wait until 2024 or 2028 when the investment returns on the retirees own contributions fully fund the pension system and make up for past and present fiscal irresponsibility on the state’s part we believe is unconscionable. Many fiscal experts contend that at a contribution of 9% public employees fund their own retirement. (Boston Globe – September 26, 2006 – Steve Bailey). Most teachers now contribute 11% so they over fund the system! We fully intend to continue our campaign for a fair and decent COLA to our pensions as it is the only way to ensure the retirement our long years of public service owes to us. There is no reason Massachusetts cannot afford to provide as decent a COLA as the federal government and the majority of the other states provide to their retirees. At election time we will heed the memorable exhortation of Samuel Gompers and remember to ‘reward our friends and punish our enemies.” We sincerely hope you will rectify this grave misstep and will continue to count yourself among our friends. Sincerely, Sandra M. Carle Lawrence J. Connolly Co-chairs of the RTC Legislative Committee Retired Teachers Chapter – Calendar of Events

October 2, 2008 Mohegan Sun Trip November 6, 2008 Fall RTC Luncheon October 5, 2008 RTC Executive Board Meeting – 10:00 AM November 16-18, 2008 Atlantic City Trip October 16, 2008 General RTC Membership Meeting December 1, 2008 RTC Executive Board Meeting – 10:00 AM October 21, 2008 “Turkey Train” Trip to New Hampshire December 2, 2008 “Chez Joseph” Trip November 3, 2008 RTC Executive Board Meeting – 10:00 AM Compiled by Anne Broder, RTC Treasurer

10 ❖ BOSTON UNION TEACHER ❖ October, 2008 Using Historical Documents in the Classroom History Comes Alive When Students Read Primary Sources By Marjorie Duby her husband’s subsequent appeal for Minkins episode. Shadrach Minkins, 1965 that denied state funding to school or those of you constantly looking for widower’s benefits after Deborah’s death. a fugitive slave from Virginia who had systems that did not have plans in place to Fresources that will provide both Pursuing the theme of fugitive slaves, settled in abolitionist Boston as a waiter, eliminate schools deemed to be racially meaningful PDPs and primary source I checked the 1850 U.S. Census was the first escaped slave captured in imbalanced. With the opening in 1971, material that complements and broadens information for Lewis Hayden, a second- New England under the 1850 Fugitive Lee’s teachers, students, and their parents classroom themes and subject matter, hand Boston clothes dealer active in Slave Law. Federal marshals lived through Boston’s look into the collection available at the abolitionist activity. I hit upon an arrested and detained him at desegregation case that Northeast Regional the Federal Court House in brought improvements Office of the National Boston. Members of the in hiring and promotion Archives and Records Boston Vigilance Commit- opportunities for black Administration (NARA) tee, an anti-slavery group, teachers; improved in Waltham. rescued him from the Court educational offerings From July 28-August House and directed him to for students including 1, 2008, I participated in Canada. Lewis Hayden, a the option of attending “Primarily Teaching: Us- member of the committee a magnet school; ing Historical Docu- and known for harboring improved opportunities ments in the Classroom.” fugitives in his house, was for parental involve- I was curious about indicted. My students ment in the schools; and NARA’s collection’s reenacted the Shad-rach Minkins escape improved partnerships between the connections to the in the African Meeting House with BOAF Boston Public Schools and area curriculum content and rangers. universities. classroom activities of a Ellen (Craft) disguised herself as a male slave owner Chinese immigrants worked in gold These were but a few primary source 5th grade classroom. traveling to Pennsylvania with his slave, William, for mines and on the railroads. Anti-Chinese documents netted. My objective of Additionally, as a retiree, medical care. sentiments grew when white labor unions making real life connections to the I planned to apply the 40 PDPs toward my unexpected jewel of a classroom resource blamed the Chinese for lower wages and content 5th grade students studied and next licensure renewal. when I found William and Ellen Craft a scarcity of work. This sentiment led to literature they read was a success. The Knowing that NARA’s mission is to listed as living with the Hayden family! In the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act archivists and staff at NARA were archive and share access to the original 1848, Ellen Craft, a light-skinned slave in 1882 that continued until 1943 when successful in sharing their specific federal documents for federal agencies from Georgia and her husband William, the Supreme Court ruled the law holdings of local history through operating in the Boston area and escaped to the North and settled in Boston. unconstitutional. Federal records. They microfilmed copies of other federal These documents showed the creativity The act prohi- also infected us with documents that did not originate in of a people fighting for freedom. During bited Chinese their energy and Boston, I focused on the escape, Ellen disguised immi-gration. passion for handling, their federal records herself as a male slave owner When the San analyzing and using about the contributions traveling to Pennsylvania Francisco earth- primary sources of Deborah Sampson with his slave, William, for quake and fire of starting in elementary Gannett during the medical care. I remembered 1906 destroyed classrooms. Revolutionary War, the standing in front of Hayden’s local public ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ involvement of Lewis house on Phillips Street with records, the NARA is located at 380 Hayden in the 5th graders as we immersed Chinese created Trapelo Road in abolitionist movement ourselves in the history of the “paper son” Waltham. There is a huge of the 1850s, the the north slope of Beacon that would allow parking lot and free ad- Chinese Exclusion Act Hill under the guidance of large number of mission. In addition to of 1882, and the Boston those rangers from Boston Chinese to im- their original documents, desegregation school African American National migrate to the they have an extensive case of the 1970s. Historic Park (BOAF). We United States in microfilm collection, and In the classroom, Deborah Sampson Gannett heard of Hayden standing the early 1900s. free access to ancestry.com students read fictional on his front stoop and While viewing Lewis Hayden and footnote.com online. accounts of how Deborah Sampson confronting slave catchers with a match documents NARA provides genea- Gannett disguised herself as a man and in his hand, ready to ignite kegs of related to “paper son” legal cases, I relived logy lectures and workshops for educators under the name of Robert Shurtleff, dynamite hidden below rather than a trip to Boston’s Chinatown and throughout the year. If you would like to fought in the Revolutionary War. She allowing them entrance. This census remembered questions 5th graders asked become familiar with their resources in successfully hid her identity until she was information was a definitive primary as they soaked up the history. order to discover how they complement wounded, found out during her treatment, source and a perfect complement to the In NARA’s Research Room, holding your classroom themes, visit NARA online and received an Honorable Discharge as collective biography Two Tickets to some of the original Morgan vs. Hennigan at www.archives.gov/northeast or contact Robert Shurtleff in 1783. Later in life, Freedom, a book easily read by 5th graders. paperwork, I had flashbacks of life at the Annie Davis, Education Specialist when she applied for a pension, she had Seeking additional primary sources newly opened Joseph Lee School. Morgan ([email protected]) at 781-663- to provide witnesses with documented related to activity on Beacon Hill during vs. Hennigan was the law suit that led to 0126. evidence that she was Robert Shurtleff the 1850s, I requested and was brought the desegregation of the Boston Public (Marjorie Duby, a BPS retiree, spent and eligible for it. There on microfilm was the original Federal indictment for Lewis Schools. The Lee School was built in the bulk of her professional career at the her original processed application and Hayden’s involvement in the Shadrach response to the Racial Imbalance Act of Joseph Lee School in Dorchester, MA.) One Member’s Opinion: “Boston Teachers, We Have a Problem”… (continued from page 9) sensed that in the long run, telling the City Hall Plaza at a contract rally. We made to our membership. In fact, his veto whose motto could be, “NEVER is heard truth would work (it did), and that for made national news during that dispute took the pittance $120 per year C.O.L.A.+ a discouraging word.” every voice that arose criticizing him for in the year 2000 when we stormed the city from retired members’ pockets! The wisdom of President John F. not being able to get his call returned council chambers with our educational With the 2008 inflation rate the highest Kennedy stills rings true, “Without de- from City Hall there would be one to concerns... Within days we were pre- it has been in the last 27 years, things bate, without criticism no administration admire his courage and candor. sented with an excellent contract that have never been worse for retired mem- can succeed and no republic can survive.” Knowing that we would be under at- won near unanimous BTU membership bers! (Not to mention their health Insur- In the movie about the Apollo XIII tack and in for a tough fight on the con- approval. ance increase in our last contract.) space flight we saw how the “ground tract, and other career issues, we were Now fast forward to the spring of 2008... Picturing any individual in a positive troops” at mission control responded to psychologically prepared for this battle And The Boston Union Teacher’s June light with respected BTU members sends Tom Hanks’ honest assessment that, and very aware of whom our enemies were. edition has a front page story headlining a false message that, “All is well with our “Houston, We have a problem.” I recall then that the Boston Herald ran the retired educators who stormed the friend” when, in fact, nothing could be Everyone pulled together and, in unity, an editorial attacking teacher tenure in State House. Retired BTU members built further from the truth! amazingly solved an incredible dilemma. which they said, “imagine if professional the BTU and deserve to be treated with Perhaps it is time that the BTU leader- This summer we saw the request for a baseball players had a tenure system?” to Honesty, Dignity and Respect. We should ship took a good look at how they allowed small increase in the pension of very the Herald’s credit they printed my op-ed reward and promote those elected offi- themselves to be used and then thrown deserving educators’ crash and burn on a response which was that, in fact, Major cials who treat us fairly – and take to task away by a governor who spends more barren surface known as The Massachu- League Baseball DOES have a tenure those who do not. money on entertainment for his last China setts state house dome. system that mandates any player with five However, when you turn to page five of junket than it would cost to fund the Just because this was not supposed to years with a team and ten years in the the June, 2008 paper BTU paper, you see C.O.L.A.+ for 2,000 retired BTU mem- happen does not mean that it should be league can’t be traded without said play- Governor Deval Patrick being celebrated bers per annum? (Roughly $250,000). ignored by burying our head in the sand. ers permission. at an annual dinner. Why? This is the Deval Patrick does not even pretend Nor that more bad news for teachers isn’t We had a strong and vibrant union that same Governor who promised to be our to care; Boston Teachers are less impor- sure to follow. was able to put over 4,000 active and friend when seeking office, but has DONE tant to him than hors d’oeuvres. Boston Teachers, We have a problem. retired BTU members on the bricks of NOTHING to live up to the promises he Yet this is not happening in a union (Submitted by John Glynn.) BOSTON UNION TEACHER ❖ October, 2008 ❖ 11 2008-2009 School Year Opens with Successful New Teacher Institute Teacher-Led Professional Development Gets High Marks From Participants By Kathy Aldred pproximately 300 new teachers, as well as veteran teachers new to Boston Public A Schools enjoyed three days together at the New Teacher Institute which was held at UMass Boston on August 19, 20, and 21. The teachers received a warm welcome from New Teacher Developer Kathy Richard Stutman, President of the BTU, Mayor Thomas Menino, and Dr. Carol Aldred facilitating a workshop on Culturally Relevant and Johnson, Superintendent of Schools. The BTU also maintained a welcome and informational Responsive Practices post for all three days, staffed by volunteers. Dr. Denise Patmon, of UMass Boston was the keynote speaker. Her comments centered on Culturally Relevant and Responsive Practices, which, incidentally was one of the major workshops offered to the new teachers and one of the most popular. The group of full-time New Teacher Developers and other teacher leaders in our schools played a key role in this year’s Institute, as they designed content and structure Ani Mwalimu from Boston International High and delivered instruction in several workshop areas such as Classroom Communities School prepares his entry plan for the first few I and II, Community Resources, and Family and Student Engagement. Experienced days of school teachers and BTR (Boston Teacher Resident) grads were able to explore other topics such as an Introduction to Technology in Boston Public schools. The teachers also heard from a group of very polished BPS students as they engaged in a workshop titled ‘Student Voices and Perspectives’. Barbara Gates from Lee There was a great deal of excitement and interest over the three days as the new Academy enjoys both her teachers got to know one another and began to build a network to keep in touch apple and a passage from Rethinking Schools’ New throughout the school year. The New Teacher Developers, on hand for all three days Teacher Handbook of the Institute immediately noticed the strengths and skills the new teachers are bringing to the job. Whether a beginning teacher, fresh out of the college classroom themselves, an experienced teacher from Konstantinos Petmezis (L), Curley School and Michael another district, or a career Cabrera, Sarah Greenwood changer from another field, their voices were strong, spirits high, and energy levels were soaring. We welcome all teachers new to Boston Public Schools and (L-R) Darcell Hunt (Urban Science Academy), Geoff hope you will have a very Gailey and Michelle Karp (The Engineering School) productive year as you strive to make a positive impact in the lives of our students. Ellen Tuite will teach at the (Kathy Aldred, veteran teacher in the Boston Public Schools, currently serves as a New Marshall School Teacher Developer.)

(L-R) Natasha Huggins (Urban Science Academy), Trina Renee Bryant (Social Justice Academy), and Travis Y. Kelly (Parkway Academy of Technology and Health) share ideas during their workshop

(L-R) Ivalisse De Jesus (L-R) Melodie Miranda, Edgar De Leon, and Viet Nguyen (Noonan Business Academy), will be working together at Urban Science Academy Laura Castelli (English High School), and Rachel Bradshaw (Josiah Quincy Upper School) discuss setting up rules and procedures in the classroom

Victoria Barbato, (Brighton High School) and Vicente Vallejo (Charlestown High School) brainstorming at the Building Classroom Communities workshop

Darcell Hunt participating After interning at Fenway in the Classroom High School, Ricardo Community workshop Valencia will be teaching Mildred Avenue Middle School teachers Emily Bathan (L) and US History at Boston Katisha John discuss a point during the New Teacher Institute Community Leadership Academy

Theresa Haddad Nealy, Haley School

Photos courtesy of Amika Kemmler-Ernst, Jennifer Stone did her student teaching at Noonan Business Academy and will be Frank Pantano, back as a 1st year teacher this year Bristol Konjoian will and Garret Virchick Human Resources Director Bill Horwath (L) be teaching at The Ashley Johnson, Orchard Gardens and BTU Vice-President Pat Connolly English High School 12 ❖ BOSTON UNION TEACHER ❖ October, 2008